On Saturday, no less than 32 tricolors will take the start of the 111th edition of the Grande Boucle (June 29-July 21).
Martin-Gaudu, two leaders with distinct objectives
«My goals will depend on the first days. I will take stock. If I’m in the game and I have the legs I’ll play general. Otherwise, I will focus on a stage victory or a distinctive jersey», Confided Guillaume Martin – the most regular French rider on the Tour in recent years – to France Blue . If the leader of Cofidis has not set definitive objectives, those of David Gaudu (Groupama FDJ) are known. “The overall leader is David. But we start in a completely different state of mind from other years, we are not focused on the general classification, but on the moves and stage victories. explained his sports director Marc Madiot.
Bardet, the last dance
After Thibault Pinot last year, it will be Romain Bardet’s turn to say goodbye. The 33-year-old rider, strong man of the DSM-firmenich, will begin his eleventh and final Tour de France on Saturday in Florence (Italy) – second in 2016, his best result. “This year will be my 11th participation. I hope to shine one last timehe declared – not without difficulty – to AFP. I’m very happy to do it again [le Tour de France, NDLR], but I hope to approach it with this perspective of telling myself that it is the last and only seeing the positive. I ran it for quite a few years with blinders on, without really taking advantage of the fabulous setting and the privilege of running this race.”
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Lapeira-Armirail, the champions of France 2024 starting in Florence
Lined up alongside Félix Gall – leader of the Decathlon AG2R – and Sam Bennett – experienced Irish sprinter, the two recent French champions Paul Lapeira [sur route, NDLR] and Bruno Armirail [sur le contre-la-montre, NDLR] will wear their blue-white-red jersey on the roads of the Tour for three weeks. More generally, the French team – which has had a great start to the season with 26 stage wins – will have many assets to show off until the final finish scheduled for Nice on July 21. Plain, valley or high mountain stages, not to mention the two time trials, it will have the weapons to compete on any terrain.
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Start-Coquard, big thighs
Despite a strong field of sprinters this year, Arnaud Démarre (Arkéa – B&B Hotels) and Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) could do well during the flat stages. The two 32-year-old “big thighs” will have the opportunity to raise their arms during a mass sprint finish. Winning the green jersey after three weeks of racing seems less possible against the Belgian armada. Jasper Philipsen being the big favorite in his own succession for the points classification.
Martinez the surprise guest
The presence of Lenny Martinez in the FDJ start list for this 111th edition of the Tour de France was anything but expected. At least for the general public. “Nobody knew, but he was on our pre-list. And it is not forbidden to change your mind. We wanted to have the best possible team on the Tour to make shots and the lights are green for him, so we lined him up,” confided the general director of the French team, Marc Madiot. At only 20 years old, Lenny Martinez will compete in his second Grand Tour of his young career. He competed in the Vuelta last year. After the announcement of his selection, the Cannes resident remained humble. “My first Tour de France. Thank you Groupama FDJ,” he wrote on his Instagram account. A joker who will have to sniff out the right moves.
